Overview
Following in the footsteps of her 'unitarian' and philanthropic parents, Thomazine Carslake and Samuel Browne, Mary Lockyer was a prominent social reformer and scientist (Hyman 2018).
In this article, I will give a brief overview of her life and work, which included a profound engagement with the Suffragette movement and an unfailing commitment to the furthering of astronomical discovery in Britain. I have included a family tree at the end of the page, which draws vastly from Mary's own documentation of her ancestry in 'My Grandmother's Young Days', of which typescripts can be found in Exeter University's Old Library archives, or alternately at the Sid Vale Heritage Centre.
In this article, I will give a brief overview of her life and work, which included a profound engagement with the Suffragette movement and an unfailing commitment to the furthering of astronomical discovery in Britain. I have included a family tree at the end of the page, which draws vastly from Mary's own documentation of her ancestry in 'My Grandmother's Young Days', of which typescripts can be found in Exeter University's Old Library archives, or alternately at the Sid Vale Heritage Centre.
The Life and Work of Mary Lockyer
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As we delve into the academic and social justice journey of Mary Lockyer, we must peel back the layers of historical oversight that have confined her narrative to the shade cast by her illustrious husband, Norman Lockyer. Mary’s is a tale not of mere marital association, but of a Suffragette, social reformer, and astronomer who pushed boundaries and eclipsed the constraints of her time.
Having moved from Sidmouth with her sister Annie to study astronomy and natural philosophy at Queen’s College in Harley Street, Mary quickly became well established in the science world. She worked as a mathematics tutor in 1875 and later became employed at the Solar Physics Observatory (1882), where she first became acquainted with Norman (Wilkins). |
Figure 1: Mary Lockyer setting up a tripod at The Devil's Quoits, Oxfordshire.
All images henceforth (unless otherwise stated) courtesy of Beatrice Steele, a PhD candidate at the University of Exeter working alongside David Strange at the Norman Lockyer Observatory.
All images henceforth (unless otherwise stated) courtesy of Beatrice Steele, a PhD candidate at the University of Exeter working alongside David Strange at the Norman Lockyer Observatory.
The Political Life: Suffrage and Sisterhood
From a young age, Mary was influenced and surrounded by a strong female presence. Her profound engagement with both science and politics was perhaps instilled into her by her mother; a scientist who advocated for research without the use of animal experimentation (Hyman 2018). With unwavering conviction, Mary challenged societal norms, steadfast in her belief in the intellectual capacity of women—a belief that guided her lifelong dedication to advancing women's education. In 1880, alongside her sister Annie and Annie’s close friend, Mary Stewart Kilgour, Mary embarked on a groundbreaking campaign to establish College Hall in Byng Place, paving the way for its opening in 1882. This daring initiative marked the birth of the first hall of residence for women students at University College and the London School of Medicine for Women, solidifying Mary's legacy as a pioneer in women's education. This enterprise was particularly radical as the students had representation in the governing body of the institution, a measure that was said to be unprecedented for the time (Hyman 2018).
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Figures 2 & 3: Mary Lockyer setting up a tripod upon the hill of Sidmouth Observatory
Mary’s lifelong fight for women’s rights included the organisation of Suffrage marches (including one with Elizabeth Garrett Anderson in 1910), lobbying members of both the Commons and Lords and maintaining friendships and correspondences with fellow radical women (Hyman 2018). Included amongst these women is Hertha Ayrton, a renowned scientist who holds the distinction of being the first female member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, also a prominent Suffragette (source: letters to Mary Lockyer, Old Library Special Collections Exeter). More on Mary's involvement with the Suffragette movement can be found here, including information on how Mary and Annie's political activism resulted in Sidmouth being designated as one of the initial locations in Devon for the establishment of a branch for the National Union of Women Suffrage Societies.
The Academic Life: Cosmic Curiosities, Jujitsu Journeys
Alongside her engagement with feminist movements, Mary maintained a devoted interest in science and astronomy throughout her life. In 1905, her husband Norman Lockyer formed the British Science Guild, a pressure group aimed at persuading the government to invest more in science education and research. Despite her official role as Honorary Assistant Treasurer, Mary likely shouldered much of the workload (Hyman 2018). That same year, she volunteered for a solar eclipse expedition to Mallorca, contributing to the final report and lending her expertise as a keen photographer, as she often did during Norman’s research trips to ancient sites including Stonehenge, Boscawen-Un (Cornwall) and The Devil's Quoits (Fig.1). Some of these photographs have been published in Beatrice Steele's 2024 article on J. Norman Lockyer and Archaeoastronomy, linked here.
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Figures 4, 5 & 6: Photographs of Mary's personal collections held at the Exeter City Library. Courtesy of Beatrice Steele
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Mary's academic pursuits weren't limited to assisting her husband's; she also conducted her own botanical research and had her observations published in Nature (1913, records held at Exeter City Library). Another, perhaps more curious, pursuit of Mary's was the collection of at least two folios containing images of 'Japanese Temples and Their Treasures', revealing a deeper occupation with ancient cultures and perhaps leading to her fascinating article on 'Jujutsu' (sic), published in Nature in January 1907 (No. 1941, Vol. 75, Exeter City Library archives).
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Figure 7: “The Suffragette That Knew Jiu-Jitsu,” Punch 139 (July 6, 1910): 9
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Mary's Nature article on Jiu-Jitsu emphasises the importance of 'self-defence', and is arguably intertwined with the suffrage movement. As women began to occupy traditionally male spaces, they faced unwanted advances and attacks on the city streets & thus had to confront the established notion of 'men-as-protectors' and learn to defend themselves. The suffrage movement also led to increased awareness about domestic violence and promoted self-defence (particularly martial arts) as a tactic to keep women safe in their own homes. I suspect that Mary was leaning into this ideology under the guise of academic interest in her article.
Source: The Origins of the Women's Self-Defence Movement, Wendy L. Rouse (this article is definitely worth a read, it contains some great images and information!)
Source: The Origins of the Women's Self-Defence Movement, Wendy L. Rouse (this article is definitely worth a read, it contains some great images and information!)
The Hill Observatory
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When the Solar Physics Observatory founded by Norman was relocated to Cambridge in 1911, he resolved to build his own 'hill observatory' - as it was then called - for astronomical research. Mary and Norman had recently moved to Sidmouth, having built a new home on land that Mary had inherited. This house was wonderfully suited for an astronomical observatory, possessing 'an unbroken horizon in every direction' (Gregory 405). With considerable funding and equipment donated by Sir Norman and Lady Lockyer (alongside the help of generous friends), the ‘Hill Observatory Corporation’ was formally founded in 1916 (Hyman 2018).
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Figure 8: Mary Lockyer at the Sidmouth house
Image courtesy of the Old Library, Special Collections (ref no: EUL MS 110 ZA G)
Image courtesy of the Old Library, Special Collections (ref no: EUL MS 110 ZA G)
Lady Lockyer was named Assistant Treasurer and made significant financial and administrative contributions to the Observatory: whilst there is currently a plaque commemorating this at the NLO, there is certainly more work to be done in order to pay homage to her contributions. Alongside her expansive and eclectic academic interests, Mary fiercely defied social norms in order to advocate for women's rights throughout her life. Her legacy lives on today through the advancement of education for women and the physical monument of the Sidmouth Observatory, which remains to this day an important site for astronomical research.
Details of upcoming events at the Norman Lockyer Observatory can be found here.
Details of upcoming events at the Norman Lockyer Observatory can be found here.
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Figure 9: Mary Lockyer (middle left), Norman Lockyer (middle right). Sidmouth (1912)
Figure 10: Sir Norman and Lady Mary Lockyer on the Observatory site (1912)
Figure 11: Lady Lockyer's House, Salcombe Hill
Figure 10: Sir Norman and Lady Mary Lockyer on the Observatory site (1912)
Figure 11: Lady Lockyer's House, Salcombe Hill
Ancestry: Mary Lockyer's family tree
More anecdotal information about the ancestors of Mary Lockyer can be found in 'My Grandmother's Young Days', held in Exeter University's Old Library archives and the Sid Vale Heritage Centre.
Link to Canva page for better quality.
Link to Canva page for better quality.
Works consulted with links for further reading:
- Wilkins, G.A. 'The Lockyer Ladies'. Antiquarian Astronomer, 2006, Issue 3, p. 101-106
- Hyman, Nigel 'Lockyer, Lady'. Devon History Society (2018)
- GREGORY, R. Lady Lockyer. Nature 152, 405–406 (1943). Obituary to Lady Lockyer published in Nature
- Archives held at Exeter University's Old Library relating to Lady Lockyer (letters & photographs)
- Archives held at Exeter City Library relating to Lady Lockyer (botanical studies, Nature publications, 'Japanese Temples and Their Treasures' Folio II')
- Steele, B. H. (2024). “Norman Lockyer and the Controversial Beginnings of Archaeoastronomy." Journal of Astronomy in Culture, 2(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.5070/AC3.1667 Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6kh5s47r
- Wilkins, G.A. 'The Lockyer Ladies'. Antiquarian Astronomer, 2006, Issue 3, p. 101-106
- Hyman, Nigel 'Lockyer, Lady'. Devon History Society (2018)
- GREGORY, R. Lady Lockyer. Nature 152, 405–406 (1943). Obituary to Lady Lockyer published in Nature
- Archives held at Exeter University's Old Library relating to Lady Lockyer (letters & photographs)
- Archives held at Exeter City Library relating to Lady Lockyer (botanical studies, Nature publications, 'Japanese Temples and Their Treasures' Folio II')
- Steele, B. H. (2024). “Norman Lockyer and the Controversial Beginnings of Archaeoastronomy." Journal of Astronomy in Culture, 2(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.5070/AC3.1667 Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6kh5s47r
Acknowledgements:
With thanks to:
This was written as part of a Heritage Lottery Funded project by Mayes Creative
Beatrice Steele, for providing many of the photos in this article & sharing her research from the Exeter City Library archive.
The University of Exeter & the Old Library special collections team, whose help has been invaluable to my research.
This was written as part of a Heritage Lottery Funded project by Mayes Creative
Beatrice Steele, for providing many of the photos in this article & sharing her research from the Exeter City Library archive.
The University of Exeter & the Old Library special collections team, whose help has been invaluable to my research.
Article written by Olivia Cronin, an undergraduate student of English Literature at Exeter University.
